Fw: Californians for GE-Free Agriculture - Newsletter #1

[Guest guest]

This is the first monthly newsletter of Californians for GE-Free Agriculture.

If you are not already signed up to receive this as part of our Volunteer

Network you can do so at <http://www.registervisitors.com/calge/signup.htm>.

 

Please forward this email to anyone you think may be interested.

 

 

 

CALIFORNIANS FOR GE-FREE AGRICULTURE NEWSLETTER VOLUME #1 FEBRUARY 2004.

 

 

Newsletter Contents:

 

1. Background on the California campaign.

2. Taking action to stop GE crops in California.

3. Mendocino County GE initiative heads to polls.

 

 

 

 

BACKGROUND ON THE CALIFORNIA CAMPAIGN.

 

 

Californians for GE-Free Agriculture <http://www.calgefree.org> is a unique

coalition of sustainable farming, environmental, and consumer organizations

united to prevent genetically engineered (GE) agriculture in California. Our

members include: California Certified Organic Farmers, Center for Environmental

Health, Center for Food Safety, Community Alliance with Family Farmers,

Ecological Farming Association, Four Elements Farm, Genetic Engineering Action

Network, Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, and Organic Consumers Association.

 

California, which produces over 350 crops, is currently free of GE, with the

exception of cotton grown in the Central Valley. This could all change soon and

the biotech industry has set its sights on California, the country's largest

food producer and exporter of food.

 

In 2004, the main thrust of our campaign will be stopping GE rice. In September

2003, the US EPA gave final regulatory approval for Bayer's (previously Aventis)

Liberty Link GE rice. Liberty Link rice is engineered to be tolerant to

glufosinate, a broad-spectrum herbicide similar to Monsanto's Roundup. Liberty

Link rice could be planted as soon as 2005.

 

California produces 20% of all rice grown in the US on about 500,000 acres, and

is the nation's second largest rice producer. Most of the rice grown in

California is a high quality medium grain variety known as CalRose, used in baby

food, desserts, beer, breakfast cereal, and also as table rice. 33% of the

state's rice is exported, primarily to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey.

 

Another company, Ventria BioSciences, has been trying to get approval to grow

and mill two " pharm " varieties of rice in California on a commercial scale.

Pharm crops are plants that have been engineered to produce a pharmaceutical

drug. Ventria's pharm rice is engineered with human genes that produce two

proteins, lactoferrin and lysozyme. They are used as anti-microbials to treat

diarrhea, prevent iron deficiency, and treat infections in humans, and for use

in chicken farming.

 

Many consumers and food companies are concerned that these and other drugs may

someday end up in their breakfast cereal. We are expecting the California Rice

Commission to make a decision on Ventria's proposed expansion of pharm rice in

the next several months.

 

 

 

2. TAKING ACTION IN THE FARMING COMMUNITY TO STOP GE CROPS IN CALIFORNIA

 

 

For the last nine months we have been busy at work laying the groundwork for a

successful campaign to keep GE crops out of California.

 

---We have been working diligently to raise concerns in the farming community

about the dangers posed by Ventria's pharm rice. We are in the process of

collecting statements of opposition from farmers, mills, farmer groups and

others within the rice industry.

 

---We have produced a series of fact sheets to educate farmers

<http://www.calgefree.org/farmers.shtml> and have helped to organize a series of

successful educational seminars for leaders in the rice industry.

 

---Our Farmer Advocate has been actively engaged with many influential

decision-makers in the rice industry, alerting them to the problems posed by GE

rice.

 

--We will also be hosting several farmer leadership workshops in the future to

expand our grassroots network of farmers. Please contact Campaign Coordinator

Renata Brillinger (renata or 707-874-1557 x 222) if you would like more

information.

 

 

 

***WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO ALSO GET INVOLVED IN KEEPING CALIFORNIA GE-FREE***

 

 

---Call food companies and ask about their policy regarding the use of GE rice

in their products. Inform them that GE rice may soon be grown in the US, and let

them know your concerns. Ask them to provide a guarantee to their customers that

they will use non-GE rice. For a list of companies click on

<http://www.calgefree.org/consumers.shtml#helpstop>

 

---Call your state Representative and Senator and ask their position on GE

foods. Let them know you are concerned about this technology and the negative

impact it will have on the state's agriculture. Ask them to support any future

legislation preventing GE crops from being grown in the state. You can find your

local politician at <http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset9text.htm>

 

---Form a local group and get together with others in your area to stop GE.

Californians for GE-Free Agriculture is helping to form Food Democracy groups

throughout the state. These groups will help keep California GE-free and

organize locally to promote a sustainable food system. Please reply to this

email <simon or call 415-561-2523 to get involved in your

community.

 

 

 

3. MENDOCINO COUNTY ANTI-GE INITIATIVE HEADS TO POLLS

 

 

An exciting development in the battle to stop GE crops is coming out of

Mendocino County in Northern California. On March 2nd, 2004 voters will go to

the polls to decide if they want to ban the growing of GE plants in the county.

Measure H, which has wide support from county residents, farmers, wineries,

business owners, and even the County Sheriff, would be the first county wide ban

on GE crops in the US. Please check out GMO-Free Mendocino's website

<http://www.gmofreemendo.com> for more information. If you live in Mendocino

County we encourage you to get involved in the campaign. The Measure H campaign

welcomes donations to help them in this important work.

 

 

 

We rely on the financial support of individuals, businesses and foundations.

 

To make a donation, visit <http://www.calgefree.org/active/donations.shtml>

 

Thanks for your support,

Californians For GE-Free Agriculture

 

PRIVACY POLICY: Californians for GE-Free Agriculture does not disclose or

release your email or other information to other organizations or individuals.

Subscribers to our list serve will receive 1 or 2 emails per month pertaining to

our campaign activities and also events, which may be taking, place in their

area.

 

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO YOUR FRIENDS WHO WOULD BE INTERESTED.

==========================================================